Argosy, Vol. 1 (December 9, 1882) — page 385: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

378 THE ARGOSY. pursuers at his heels; how he broke through the dervish lines and swept over the valley of death, and finally reached the shelter of the square in the nick of time. Yes, he told me how this brave comrade, believing me dead, rather than part from me after the mighty struggle to the threshold of salvation, chose to follow me, whither he thought I had preceded him, and was pre- vented at the very brink of eternity.” She paused, looking intently at her companion. “ Let me ask you now, my friend,” she went on, “ having brought me from the wilderness so far toward my homie, is it not meet that this faithful one should accompany me the rest of the way? Since he was willing to die for my sake, 1s it presuming now to ask him to live for it?" Bardoff trembled. A vague fear was in his heart—a terror greater than any inspired by dervish foe. “ Comrade,” he said, like a penitent before a shrine, “ believe me when I confess to you that day and night since our rescue from the vale of death, I have been harrowed with the thought of parting. Miserable as I was in the bitter struggle, it was happiness:indeed compared with the agony which I knew would be my fate a little time hence; and unworthy as the thought was. dare I confess, I often wished us back there just for a little time that I might fight on through just one more battle for your dear sake. There was cour- age in my heart to ask you if I might fight it on through years and through life to the very close. But with the receipt of these tidings, comrade, my bravery melted away, and despair came. For what had a penniless outcast, without home and country, to offer in return for this great privilege——” “ Yourself, no more, my hero.’’ The interruption was passionate, strong, and sincere. “ The ‘ penniless outcast’ saved my life and brought me in his strong arms here to the very threshold of a new struggle, and he must not desert me now. My home shall be his home, my country his country. Brave friend, for these many weeks we have shared every adversity, because we come now within the pate of civilization again, let us not dissemble, for reser- vations are tnworthy us. Let us be open and frank and speak from the heart. Will you go on with me, comrade, on to the end, through all the life- long struggle? ” The prince reached forth and seized the thin hand. He bent and kissed it reverently. _ * Ah, God knows, my darling, you have asked the very sweet question I should never have dared ask you. But if, knowing all, trusting all> taking my pledge of faith and love and devotion, 1 may be your comrade still, Heaven bless you, I follow gladly whithersoever fate and you shall lead me.” “Thank you,” was the tender response. “ Thank you, and God keep you always. Leave me now, comrade, and let me lie- here and dream for a little time. But fear not, brave heart, for all shall be well.” Too full in spirit to more than murmur a gentle blessing, the prince pressed the thin hand once more to his lips, gave and received a look which only they who love and are loved can understand; then moved silently away like one who has conquered the world. THE END. GON GOO @ YN| CO